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Students and civil servants in China's far western region of Xinjiang have been ordered not to take part in fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Statements posted on July 2 on websites of schools and government agencies say the ban aims at protecting students' wellbeing and preventing the promotion of religion in schools and government offices.

Statements on the websites of local Communist Party organizations said members of the officially atheist party also should not fast.

China's ruling party has for years restricted fasting in Xinjiang, home to the Uyghur ethnic Muslim minority.

The move comes amid tightened security in the region which has recently been hit by a number of bomb blasts and other attacks.

Many ethnic Uyghurs are unhappy with Chinese rule and say they are being repressed by ethnic Chinese.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP

During the long days of Ramadan without food or drink, many Pakistanis look forward to breaking their fasts with cold drinks at sundown. But with power shortages in some parts of the country for up to 18 hours a day, ice producers are unable to keep up with the demand. People in Bannu told RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal that the price of ice has skyrocketed, and it sometimes can’t be had at any price. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs in the Swat region have been carving ice off of glaciers to sell at the markets.

During the long days of Ramadan without food or drink, many Pakistanis look forward to breaking their fasts with cold drinks at sundown. But with power shortages in some parts of the country for up to 18 hours a day, ice producers are unable to keep up with the demand. People in Bannu told RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal that the price of ice has skyrocketed, and it sometimes can’t be had at any price. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs in the Swat region have been carving ice off of glaciers to sell at the markets.

The holy month of Ramadan this year coincides with the height of summer, which means long, sweltering days when neither food nor drink is permitted. What do Tajikistan's Muslim leaders advise to help believers observe the fast? Video by Barot Yusufi, RFE/RL's Tajik Service

The holy month of Ramadan this year coincides with the height of summer, which means long, sweltering days when neither food nor drink is permitted. What do Tajikistan's Muslim leaders advise to help believers observe the fast? Video by Barot Yusufi, RFE/RL's Tajik Service

On September 9, Sayed Jan Sabawoon of RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan visited a Kabul market ahead of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset.

At a mosque in Baku, Shi'ite Muslims -- Azerbaijan's religious majority -- stay awake through the night, praying and reciting the names of Shi'ite imams while standing with the open Koran on their heads. The faithful believe that the light of Allah will come to them through this practice, performed on three nights during Ramadan.

At a mosque in Baku, Shi'ite Muslims -- Azerbaijan's religious majority -- stay awake through the night, praying and reciting the names of Shi'ite imams while standing with the open Koran on their heads. The faithful believe that the light of Allah will come to them through this practice, performed on three nights during Ramadan.

The Central Mosque in Bishkek is the most-visited house of prayer in the Kyrgyz capital. There are separate areas for women and men, and the women who come to pray are must use a side or back entrance. Here, women and girls arrive to pray together at the first Friday Prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Central Mosque in Bishkek is the most-visited house of prayer in the Kyrgyz capital. There are separate areas for women and men, and the women who come to pray are must use a side or back entrance. Here, women and girls arrive to pray together at the first Friday Prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

In the Iraqi capital, people shop at the Soq Alshorjah market during the day to prepare their meals for iftar, or the end of the daily fast. Sweets are particularly popular to accompany the late evening meal. Some Iraqis also enjoy a traditional card game that is only played during Ramadan.

In the Iraqi capital, people shop at the Soq Alshorjah market during the day to prepare their meals for iftar, or the end of the daily fast. Sweets are particularly popular to accompany the late evening meal. Some Iraqis also enjoy a traditional card game that is only played during Ramadan.

Almost every Tajik family has a dessert called nishalda with their evening meal during Ramadan. The dessert is made from water and sugar boiled for an hour, egg whites, lemon juice, the root of the nishalda plant, vanilla, and anise. Tajiks say that starting and ending the fast with a bit of nishalda relieves one's hunger during the day.

Almost every Tajik family has a dessert called nishalda with their evening meal during Ramadan. The dessert is made from water and sugar boiled for an hour, egg whites, lemon juice, the root of the nishalda plant, vanilla, and anise. Tajiks say that starting and ending the fast with a bit of nishalda relieves one's hunger during the day.

In Afghanistan, poor people and travelers are invited to the local mosque for communal dinners during Ramadan. The rich are expected to contribute to the mosque to help support these programs. In this video, hundreds of people gather at the Pul-e-Kheshti Mosque in Kabul to share a communal meal.

In Afghanistan, poor people and travelers are invited to the local mosque for communal dinners during Ramadan. The rich are expected to contribute to the mosque to help support these programs. In this video, hundreds of people gather at the Pul-e-Kheshti Mosque in Kabul to share a communal meal.

Residents of Almaty, Kazakhstan, go to the Central Mosque on the first day of Ramadan.

Zones

Ramadan Across The Region

RFE/RL correspondents from mainly Muslim countries filed these video snapshots during the holy month of Ramadan. From Central Asia to the Caucasus, they captured moments of prayer, celebration, and communities coming together.